By Christine M. Arceneaux
The Advocate
Copyright 2006 Capital City Press
All Rights Reserved
GEISMAR, La. — For Michael Pellegrin, responding to crisis is inherent.
“It’s in my blood,” Michael Pellegrin said about helping people.
As a volunteer firefighter for the Geismar Fire Department, Pellegrin started his career as a first responder early, watching his dad, Jimmie Pellegrin, the assistant chief of the Geismar Fire Department and emergency medical technician and paramedic with Acadian Ambulance, respond to medical calls.
At the time, Michael Pellegrin was only 13.
Jimmie Pellegrin still remembers his young son sitting inside the ambulance at the station or waiting for him to finish a call while he sat in the truck.
“After the calls, he would ask questions,” Jimmie Pellegrin recalled. “Why did you have to leave the scene so fast? Why, why, why?”
Today, the 21-year-old is continuing his career as first responder and was recently named Firefighter of the Year for the Geismar Fire Department by the local Knights of Columbus chapters.
Acadian Ambulance emergency medical technician and paramedic Chris Perer, who invited Michael Pellegrin to come with him on calls prior to the company implementing a policy forbidding the practice, said “his heart is in it.”
“He’s very dedicated,” Perer said. “When no one is there, Michael is there.”
Michael Pellegrin also takes the initiative to ask questions and learn new skills, Perer said.
According to Jimmie Pellegrin, his son responded to more than 85 percent of the calls to the Geismar Fire Department, even while working as a driver for Domino’s Pizza.
After shadowing his father for years, the self-proclaimed “fire bug”, became a junior firefighter, assisting at fires and automobile accidents.
“He’s really dedicated and has come up through the ranks,” Chief Nat Stevens said.
As he told stories about him and his father, Michael Pellegrin said his career as a first responder is just beginning.
“My dad has basically taught me everything I know about the medical field,” Michael Pellegrin said. “He is a very important person in my life.”
Michael Pellegrin said he plans to attend the National Emergency Medical Service Academy in Baton Rouge this fall and would like to progress to paramedic status.
“We’re all a unique breed and Michael is definitely a part of it,” Perer said.